MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.
Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Charles T. Evans
Age: 38
Community: Springfield
His story: Charles Evans is the founder, owner and CEO of 413 Elite, a Western Massachusetts professional basketball team.
Elite is an acronym stands for Elevating Life in the East. Evans is passionate about reigniting “the spirit of basketball in Western Mass.,” and believes Elite helps basketball helps every person and every business thrive economically, nature youth talent, and promote professional growth.
“It is important for the next generation of Western Mass. to know how powerful they really are,” he said. “Their ideas and talents can be perfected and used to promote a greater sense of community one person at a time.”
He is passionate about teaching the next generation “how to wield their powers,” and believes personal growth is a part of what makes a community great.
Evans is a Springfield native and graduated from Science and Technology High School. He later attended Holyoke Community College and graduated from Edward Walters College in Jacksonville, Florida, with Summa Cum Laude honors.
Charles T. Evans inspires encourages youth to foster their talents through his professional basketball team.Charles T. Evans
After graduating, he played international basketball in Italy, Switzerland and Tahiti.
Evans brings his knowledge and skills from traveling abroad, back home “to push the next generation forward by bringing professional basketball back to its birthplace.”
He said that while not everyone will get the professional and personal opportunities he had, if he can share what he knows to push younger generations to pursue their goals, “they will be able to write their own story.”
In his words: “The best advice is to stick to the plan. Make sure you stay true to what your mission is and never waiver from that. Setting goals and actually working towards that is tough, but you cannot let up. Stay focused on your path and you will walk into your destiny.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
